Report Card: Grading the Huskies after their 44-10 loss to Oregon

QUARTERBACK: D+
If only the hype could have turned into reality. Jake Locker had some decent runs, but he held on to the ball too long. His throws weren’t sharp and he lacked the touch that he promised he would improve. A 12-of-28 outing for 103 yards is just not impressive. He didn’t commit any turnovers, but was sacked three times. His 57 rushing yards led the Huskies, but that really doesn’t say much. Ronnie Fouch looked good, though.

OFFENSIVE LINE: F
The first outing was atrocious for a line with much higher expectations. Center Juan Garcia played every snap and you want to give him points for inspiration, but with young skill players all over the field, particularly coming out of the backfield, this veteran line needed to play better. The Ducks outmuscled the Huskies line and simply showed it up.

RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS: D+
There was nothing about which to be excited here, unless you count the obvious skill of freshman tight end Kavario Middleton. He was smooth breaking down the middle of the field and shrugging off bumps at the line of scrimmage. But an offensive pass interference call combined with a couple dropped passes and the complete inability to break tackles disappointed.

RUNNING BACKS: F
Was it the line or the running backs? Does it really matter? The Huskies running backs netted 38 rushing yards, so they get the same grade as the line.

FRONT SEVEN: D
Youth isn’t an excuse and, in this case, it doesn’t need to be. The youth on the line didn’t exactly get blown away, but nothing the linemen did looked sharp. A couple stops here and there were decent, but nothing inspired “wows.” The linebackers were even less impressive. The eye discipline was there every now and then, but it seemed the ‘backers were falling over blocks and couldn’t stay on their feet. Tackles can’t be made from your back, but Mason Foster did lead the team with 10 tackles.

SECONDARY: C-
Even with five defensive backs on the field, the secondary looked lackluster. Was Tripper Johnson really that flat-footed when Terrence Scott ran away on a 60-yard touchdown reception? Indeed. Was Darin Harris flailing in the first quarter? Sure was. Mesphin Forrester even looked like he wasn’t sure which position he was supposed to be playing on a couple early occasions. Quinton Richardson saved the unit with an interception and two pass breakups.

SPECIAL TEAMS: D-
Jared Ballman‘s strong kickoffs and Ryan Perkins‘ 35-yard field goal were the only things saving his unit from failing. Ballman’s punting was wildly inconsistent. He shanked a pair for just six and 16 yards. Can’t happen at this level. The coverage was poor with Jairus Byrd slipping out of tackle after tackle for a 51-yard punt return and Andre Crenshaw adding a 24-yard kickoff return. Meanwhile, the Huskies returners netted a total of 35 yards – 36 on three kickoffs and minus-1 on a punt return.

COACHING: F
For a staff coaching for its jobs, this was atrocious. The Oregon Ducks have owned the Washington Huskies for five consecutive years, but Saturday’s 34-point thrashing took that ownership to a new level. Defensive coordinator Ed Donatell promised the defense would get better – and he’s the type of guy you want to believe. But the offense was predictable on top of being wholly ineffective. Managing nerves and youthful indiscretions is one thing, but completely folding under pressure is another.